Aerial Photographs Of The 1906 Earthquake

In the early 1900s, photographer George Lawrence had devised ways to take aerial photographs and went to San Francisco to showcase his technology. He used kites and custom built cameras that could take photos while up in the air."

"The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire provided the next major opportunity for Lawrence to demonstrate the Captive Airship's special capabilities. The people of San Francisco had endured a major earthquake and suffered the largest fire in the history of the country. Their beautiful city was in ruins. Lawrence realized that the true magnitude of the disaster could be documented only on the huge curved plates of his airborne panoramic camera. The news from San Francisco convinced him he could make a photographic record the likes of which the world had never seen.

The man in charge, George R. Lawrence, was anything but mad. As soon as news of the disaster had reached Chicago, he made plans to go to San Francisco with his Captive Airship and crew. With the Captive Airship he knew he could take aerial photographs of the prostrate city that no one else in the world could take. He was gambling by going to the devastated. city, but he took the chance knowing there would be an international market for his photographs if he succeeded."

Thanks to Chris Steins